[chambernews] Fwd: IRS scam info

[Karen Amundson (Chamber)]

Please be careful...

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	IRS scam info
Date: 	Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:12:13 -0600
From: 	Stefan Salmonson <stefan at protectiveservicesinc.net>
To: 	undisclosed-recipients:;



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Identity theft and phishing top the Internal 
Revenue Service's (IRS) list of "dirty dozen" scams, which tend to peak 
this time of year as millions of Americans gear up to file their tax 
returns.

"Scam artists will tempt people in person, online and by email with 
misleading promises about lost refunds and free money. Don't be fooled 
by these scams," IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said in a statement on 
Thursday.

While the "dirty dozen" schemes are common year round, many occur most 
frequently during tax filing season, the IRS said. The filing deadline 
for 2011 taxes is April 17.

The IRS did not give figures in its annual list for the amount stolen or 
not paid through scams.

Identity theft occurs when thieves use a taxpayer's identity and 
personal information to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund.

The IRS blocked more than $1.4 billion from going to the wrong person 
last year through identity theft, the statement said.

Phishing is usually carried out through an unsolicited email or a fake 
website to lure potential victims and prompt them to provide personal 
and financial information.

"Armed with this information, a criminal can commit identity theft or 
financial theft," the statement said.

Among other scams, about 30,000 people have voluntarily disclosed 
foreign financial accounts since 2009 under a program to pay taxes on 
money returned to the United States.

The program was reopened this year. The IRS has collected about $3.4 
billion under the 2009 program, and another $1 billion in upfront 
payments under a 2011 program.

The "dirty dozen" list is rounded out by:

-- fraud by return preparers

-- scams promising "free money" from the IRS or tax schemes involving 
Social Security

-- false or inflated income and expenses

-- false claims for refunds from Form 1099, which reports income other 
than wages, salaries and tips

-- frivolous arguments

-- falsely claiming zero wages

-- abuse of charitable organizations and deductions

-- disguised corporate ownership

-- misuse of trusts.

SOURCE: 
http://news.yahoo.com/identity-theft-phishing-top-irss-dirty-dozen-tax-174632603.html

-- 

*PROtective Services, Inc.*

Office: 320-679-4848

Cell:612-961-5867 (24/7)

E-mail: Stefan at PROtectiveServicesinc.net 
<mailto:Stefan at PROtectiveServicesinc.net>

WEB: WWW.PROtectiveServicesinc.net <http://www.protectiveservicesinc.net/>

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